Wasn't it a good time, Long Time Ago -- When we all were little tads And first played "Show"! -- When every newer day Wore as bright a glow As the ones we laughed away -- Long Time Ago!
Calf was in the back-lot; Clover in the red; Bluebird in the pear-tree; Pigeons on the shed; Tom a-chargin' twenty pins At the barn; and Dan Spraddled out just like "The 'Injarubber'-Man!"
Me and Bub and Rusty, Eck and Dunk and Sid, 'Tumblin' on the sawdust Like the A-rabs did; Jamesy on the slack-rope In a wild retreat, Grappling back, to start again -- When he chalked his feet!
Wasn't Eck a wonder, In his stocking-tights?
Wasn't Dunk -- his leaping lion -- Chief of all delights!
Yes, and wasn't "Little Mack"
Boss of all the Show, -- Both Old Clown and Candy-Butcher -- Long Time Ago!
Sid the Bareback-Rider; And -- oh-me-oh-_my_! -- Bub, the spruce Ring-master, Stepping round so spry! -- In his little waist-and-trousers All made in one, Was there a prouder youngster Under the sun!
And NOW -- who will tell me, -- Where are they all?
Dunk's a sanatorium doctor, Up at Waterfall; Sid's a city street-contractor; Tom has fifty clerks; And Jamesy he's the "Iron Magnate"
Of "The Hecla Works."
And Bub's old and bald now, Yet still he hangs on, -- Dan and Eck and "Little Mack,"
Long, long gone!
But wasn't it a good time, Long Time Ago -- When we all were little tads And first played "Show"!
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